Atalanta vs Ath Bilbao Prediction & Betting Tips (21 January)

Atalanta Bergamo's journey in this Champions League got off to a particularly bad start last September with a big defeat at the start of the Parc des Princes against PSG 4-0. But the least we can say is that the Italians subsequently regained their color by stringing together 4 successes and a draw during the following 5 days played against Club Bruges 2-1, Slavia Prague 0-0, OM 0-1, Eintracht Frankfurt 0-3 and finally against Chelsea 2-1. A very good record which allows the Dea to now be in 5th place in this phase of the league, tied on points with PSG which is 3rd. In the league, Raffaele Palladino's players are also going through a good period since they won their first 3 matches in 2026 against Roma 1-0, Bologna 0-2 and against Torino 2-0. They will aim for 4 in a row next weekend against Pisa in order to get closer to the European top 6. Opposite, Athletic Bilbao risks seeing its European road come to a halt in this league phase of the Champions League. Too limited, especially on the offensive level, the Spaniards have only won once in 6 days, at home, against Qarabag 3-1.

Otherwise, they were beaten by Arsenal 0-2, Dortmund 4-1 and Newcastle 2-0 and were held by Slavia Prague 0-0 and PSG 0-0 in the last 2 days. Consequently, the residents of San Mames are outside the top 24, in 28th position in the ranking, 2 lengths from 24th place. At the same time, the Basques are not much more convincing in the championship where they must for the moment be content with 8th place. Largely beaten by Barça in the semi-final of the Spanish Super Cup, the Bilbao players recovered by winning against Leonesa in the Copa del Rey in a painful 3-4. They will want to build up confidence next weekend against Mallorca. 

A priori, Atalanta will have to approach this private meeting of the potential holder Bellanova and the rather replacement corridor player Bakker. In addition to that, central defender Djimsiti joined the infirmary against Torino around ten days ago. Concerned by the CAN in recent weeks, the Nigerian captains Kossounou and Lookman should make the return unless they are preserved. Absent in recent times, the Kolasinac executive is hoped for while the top scorer Scamacca (5 goals in Serie A) made its return during the last days of Serie A. The transalpine coach should certainly renew his confidence in the striker Krstovic (4 goals and 3 assists in SA) and the Belgian De Ketelaere (2 goals and 2 assists in SA, 2 goals and 2 assists in C1). On the Basque side, central defender Yeray Alvarez must still serve his suspension for doping while Egiluz and Ben Prados continue their long convalescence.

To this we add the Yuri defenders Berchiche (left side) and Aymeric Laporte (central) are also on the flank currently in the company of Moroccan international Sannadi whose performance has been disappointing this year. Finally, midfielder Benat Prados was not included on the list of players authorized to play in this competition. On the other hand, Ernesto Valverde should be able to line up with the Williams brothers Nico (3 goals, 2 assists in Liga) and Inaki (1 goal in Liga) who are not at the top this year. Midfielder Robert Navarro (3 goals) and midfielder Berenguer (2 goals) should also be present.